Postprocedural Outcomes of Rural Children Undergoing Correction of Congenital Heart Lesions in Yunnan Province, China

The management of congenital heart disease (CHD) remains a significant challenge in developing regions. Since 2006, China California Heart Watch has provided cardiac services in China’s Yunnan province. Our Grants for Kids program aims to diagnose and fund surgical and nonsurgical treatments for underprivileged children with congenitally malformed hearts. This report analyzes our patient outcomes. From 2007 to 2010, 36 children with CHD underwent either surgical or percutaneous procedures at local Chinese medical centers, and 94% of our patients could be contacted for follow-up assessment. The mortality and complication rates of our patient population compare favorably with international data. Our study provides a model through which networking with local hospitals and regional cardiac centers can be an effective way to assist developing areas in providing cardiac care to rural underserved populations.